MEMPHIS, Tenn. — We are at a turning point in our more than year-long battle against the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
Beginning Saturday, the countywide mandate to wear a mask when you are outside your own home will be lifted. And starting Thursday, children age 12 to 15 will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine – pending the go-ahead from state health officials.
Both of these developments should be celebrated by everyone as evidence that we are finally turning the corner on the virus. Of course, most businesses will still require masks inside their establishments. And we should keep the covering on when we are in a large crowd outside – and social distancing is difficult to achieve.
But this is nothing but good news, and just one more reason why getting the vaccine is more important now than ever. Some 330,000 people in Shelby County have gotten at least one shot in the arm. And yet, that is nowhere near the number needed to reach herd immunity. And herd immunity is the only surefire way to get back to some semblance of normalcy.
Yes, there are still those who refuse to get the vaccine. To them I say too bad - you are putting your health and that of others at risk. But overall, we have made tremendous strides in Shelby County – thanks to a willingness to follow the science and protect one another. And that’s my point of view.